SENA'S ON THE MOVE!

Our Redeemer Oromo Church (OROEC) at 4000 28th Ave S, has graciously provided SENA with a temporary home in their Parish House. SENA moved in at the beginning of August after losing our lease, and we’re in the process of securing a permanent location in the neighborhood. In the meantime, we have set up an office in the church’s parish house building adjacent to the church proper.

About OROEC: OROEC took up residence in Standish-Ericsson in 2005 as the congregation grew beyond the capacity of the space they were renting at Bethany Lutheran on Franklin Avenue. The building across from Roosevelt High School was gifted to them by the previous congregation. OROEC in Minnesota grew out of a Bible study group started by Oromo students who were attending Luther Seminary and Augsburg College and few other Oromos in the Twin Cities area back in 1987. The congregation on 28th Avenue is over 600 strong and growing. For those who do not know, the Oromo people are the largest ethnic group in Ethiopia and it is estimated that Minnesota is home to 40,000+ Oromo immigrants.

Masresha Gemechu, the Church’s Administrator, says that while the majority of their members do not live in the neighborhood, there is still a real desire to serve the Standish and Ericsson Community, but she feels that maybe the residents are cautious to reach out because this congregation is very different from the prior occupants of the church. She wants the neighborhood to know that all are welcome. The church services for adults are delivered in the Oromo language, but Sunday school for the children is done in English. Plus, the church building is available to the community for meetings and gatherings. Masresha welcomes your inquiries and encourages you to call or visit their website https://www.oromochurchmn.org to learn more.

OUR ORGANIZATION

The Standish-Ericsson Neighborhood Association (SENA) is incorporated in the state of Minnesota as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt non-profit organization.

The agency is governed by a Board of Directors which meets monthly (on the second Monday of the month). Directors are elected at the annual meeting in September by the “membership” which, according to our by-laws is: …

those defined by Minn. Stat. §317A.441, (b), (c) and (d). Members with voting rights are individuals who, at a meeting of the neighborhood organization, can produce:

(1) A Minnesota driver’s license, Minnesota identification card, or some form of residency verification which indicates the individual resides within the geographic boundaries of the neighborhood organization

(2) Proof of ownership or lease of a business or property or proof of being employed by a nonprofit organization, business, or government entity located within the geographic boundaries of SENA.